Friday, July 21, 2006 | By: Unknown

Why do people blog..a new survey from Pew

PewResearch is a well respected survey group who has put out a new one on why and who blogs. The results can be found here, but I will give you the basic rundown if you don't feel like looking...afterall, you, my dear reader KNOW why you blog.

  • 54% of bloggers say that they have never published their writing or media creations anywhere else; 44% say they have published elsewhere.
  • 54% of bloggers are under the age of 30.
  • Women and men have statistical parity in the blogosphere, with women representing 46% of bloggers and men 54%.
  • 76% of bloggers say a reason they blog is to document their personal experiences and share them with others.
  • 64% of bloggers say a reason they blog is to share practical knowledge or skills with others.
  • When asked to choose one main subject, 37% of bloggers say that the primary topic of their blog is "my life and experiences."
  • Other topics ran distantly behind: 11% of bloggers focus on politics and government; 7% focus on entertainment; 6% focus on sports; 5% focus on general news and current events; 5% focus on business; 4% on technology; 2% on religion, spirituality or faith; and additional smaller groups who focus on a specific hobby, a health problem or illness, or other topics.

    The report, written by Senior Research Specialist Amanda Lenhart and Associate Director Susannah Fox, says that bloggers are avid consumers and creators of online content. They are also heavy users of the internet in general. Forty-four percent of bloggers have taken material they find online – like songs, text, or images – and remixed it into their own artistic creation. By comparison, just 18% of all internet users have done this. A whopping 77% of bloggers have shared something online that they created themselves, like their own artwork, photos, stories, or videos. By comparison, 26% of internet users have done this.

    "Blogs are as individual as the people who keep them, but this survey shows that most bloggers are primarily interested in creative, personal expression," said Lenhart. "Blogs make it easy to document individual experiences, share practical knowledge, or just keep in touch with friends and family."
  • And the last tidbits of info:

  • 87% of bloggers allow comments on their blog
  • 72% of bloggers post photos to their blog
  • 55% of bloggers blog under a pseudonym
  • 41% of bloggers say they have a blogroll or friends list on their blog
  • 8% of bloggers earn money on their blog
  • Damn..I don't make a dime off this shit..wtf am I doing wrong? :p But the reality is..Still, 62% of internet users do not know what a blog is.LOL!

    Have a good friday folks:)

    10 people gave us their .02 cents:

    Anonymous said...

    I blog; therefore I am...

    Unknown said...

    Did you read the survey? There is also a good article about the men bloggers who lie about their stats lol..on slate:

    http://www.slate.com/id/2145896/?nav=navoa

    you don't blog daily..right?

    lecram sinun said...

    I blog... just cuz I'm wanking.

    Anonymous said...

    I've never lied about the size of my anything. :p
    And no, I don't blog daily, not even on my Cardinals blog. It's not that I don't want to; I just don't have anything to say some days. In fact, sometimes I have to look for stuff to blog about because of writer's block.

    FantasticAlice said...

    76% of bloggers say a reason they blog is to document their personal experiences and share them with others.

    That is my reason for doing it. And always for the good advice from lovely people like you Dusty!

    The Stiltwalker said...

    How about 90% of blogs are read are bullshit rants. Get over it asshole!! Ok thanks for listening.

    FantasticAlice said...

    Oh, and thanks Dusty for being supportive! If it ever gets published (cross fingers) free signed copy for you!

    enigma4ever said...

    You may not make a dime- but we always love your 2 cents....

    Laura said...

    Thanks, Dusty. I loved this info.

    Cartledge said...

    11% politics and government. I'm more used to being in a <3% stat group.
    Just as well I recently switched to crop circles.
    But wait! That puts me into a 72% who use photos.
    I guess that means I from tommorow I start long descripive piece on crop circles, of which I have no prior experience at all.
    That should reduce the danger of 41% friends and certainly 8% financial reward.
    And ther will be no comments allowed - which I note puts me in a 13% group.
    It is difficult to escape the pigeon hole.